The huge dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral is one of the landmarks of London – it’s visible from just about anywhere on the south shore of the Thames. And the dome and cathedral itself, constructed between 1668 and 1711 to a design by Sir Christopher Wren, provide a striking contrast to the modern steel and glass office buildings that now nearly surround it.
The cathedral is a major tourist attraction, but it’s also a working church that still has weekly services and hosts performances of sacred music. We were lucky enough to get tickets for J.S. Bach’s St John Passion, sung by the Cathedral Choir and Chorus. The orchestra and choir was situated directly under the dome, with our seats in rows of concentric circles radiating out from the performers.
St John Passion was first sung in 1724, so it’s been nearly 300 years since that inaugural performance. But the power of the music remains undiminished, and perhaps even amplified by the splendor of the surroundings.
